Everything pushes toward physical damage here. Zangoose's Attack does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 2 Attack EVs per KO. Moderately hard to find, on a standard growth curve.
It’s Seviper’s archrival. To threaten those it encounters, it fans out the claws on its front paws.
If it comes across a Seviper, its fur bristles and it assumes its battle pose. Its sharp claws are its best weapon.
Zangoose's Normal typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting. It shrugs off Ghost-type attacks completely. Zangoose leans offensive (base 115 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ghost |
Mienfoo's High Jump Kick also KOs at 130-153%.
 Mesprit Psychic | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemRocky Helmet NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Mesprit builds →U Turn28-33% Knock Off26-31% | ||
 | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityGoodasgold ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves View Gholdengo builds →
| ||
 Mienfoo Fighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Mienfoo builds →Knock Off22-26% U Turn23-28% High Jump Kick 2x130-153%KO | ||
 Urshifu FightingDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnseenfist ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Urshifu builds →Close Combat 2x227-268%KO Sucker Punch67-78% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Gliscor builds →Earthquake54-64% Knock Off24-28% | ||
Zangoose doesn't evolve, so breeding's where the action is. You'll find a massive partner pool across one egg group, and eggs are average hatch time. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Zangoose easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
Toxic Orb buys the setup turn. Zangoose clicks Swords Dance, then starts cleaning with Facade and the remaining moves. Jolly nature with max Attack and Speed EVs makes sure nothing tanks a boosted hit comfortably.
Best Build
Zangoose best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Knock Off
- Quick Attack
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Quick Attack
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
Recommended Teammates
Bulky Support Moveset
- Quick Attack
- Facade
- Knock Off
- Endeavor
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Facade
- Knock Off
- Agility
- Close Combat
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
- Protect
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Knock Off
- Quick Attack
- Swords Dance
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Quick Attack
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
Recommended Teammates
Bulky Support Moveset
- Quick Attack
- Facade
- Knock Off
- Endeavor
Physical Tank Moveset
- Facade
- Knock Off
- Agility
- Close Combat
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
- Protect
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Close Combat
- Fire Punch
- Ice Punch
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Facade
- Quick Attack
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Zangoose won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 15 types means it always has an effective option. Giga Impact and Hyper Beam anchor the STAB core.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Zangoose won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 15 types means it always has an effective option. Giga Impact and Hyper Beam anchor the STAB core.
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Zangoose won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 14 types means it always has an effective option. Rock Climb and Strength anchor the STAB core.
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Zangoose won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 14 types means it always has an effective option. Last Resort and Double-Edge anchor the STAB core.
Finding Zangoose at low spawn rates takes patience. 4 spots are available in mid-game routes, but the rate difference between them matters. Lock in the top one from the sorted list below.
Best Locations to Catch Zangoose in Scarlet & Violet
4 walking encounters at Lv. 20-50 for Zangoose across Scarlet and Violet. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
Zangoose doesn't appear in Legends: Z-A. Transfer it from Ruby, Diamond, or Scarlet to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Zangoose starts showing up in endgame routes at moderate rates across 6 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations to Catch Zangoose in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Walking encounters at Lv. 58-63 across 6 spots for Zangoose. Sorted by progression so you can see what's reachable at your current point in the game.
Zangoose works as a cannon with 458 BST behind it. B-Tier on our list: a solid choice for the right team. That 115 base Attack does the heavy lifting.
Watch for Blaziken (Fighting) when using Zangoose. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Immunity prevents poison. That's the one you want on Zangoose. Toxic Boost is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Zangoose is a physical attacker with base 115 Attack. Speed tells the real story. Base 90 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the cannon role.
Run Facade, Knock Off, Quickattack, and Swords Dance on Zangoose. Facade is the most common pick at 24% usage. Facade provides reliable STAB damage.
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Zangoose appears in 15 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through wild encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves